Thank Metal Mind Productions for unearthing another example of an unheralded band that could have had a better fate then what befell them. Fist's debut disc Turn The Hell On was originally released in 1980 at the height of the NWOBHM. Trying to compete at that time with the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and the host of others, this raw energetic album certainly got lost in the shuffle. They might not have the polish or the great musical ability of other bands of the time but they certainly had the ambition.
Gravely voiced Keith Satchield certainly had the right temperament and there is nothing wrong with his delivery but for some reason his voice is very non-descriptive. He sings as if he is imitating someone else. I think this might have been the biggest drawback for the band as they produce many hook filled heavy metal anthems even if they tend to blend together on this album. I see them compared to Maiden quite often but to me you need to go back a few more years as these guys remind me more of groups like Head East or Loverboy. Trying to compare them to those of the NWOBHM movement is really unfair. Yes, they were British, yes they did play heavy metal but it was a much lighter and more mainstream version than their counterparts.
Taking them in that context, this is a band that just was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Grouped together with bands that really didn't have much in common, they stuck out like a sore thumb and a bit of a wimpy one at that. Songs like the opener "Hole In The Wall Gang" and "Axeman" are prime targets that would have been much more welcome by the "Waiting For The Weekend" crowd.
Although not a bad album, it lacks the punch to take this band any further than what they did. It is nothing more than a pleasant listen and not one that will stick with you.
There are two bonus tracks on this re-release that fall into the same category as the rest of the disc, O.K. but nothing special. This is an album that is interesting but only for a short time. It wore out its welcome the second or third time around.
Track listing:
1. Hole In The Wall Gang
2. The Watcher
3. Collision Course
4. You'll Never Get Me Up (In On Of Those)
5. Forever Amber
6. Axeman
7. The Vamp
8. Terminus
9. One Percenter (1%)
10. Name, Rank And Serial Number
Bonus Tracks:
11. Brain Damage
12. Law Of The Jungle
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